Childhood Education with Bilingual Extension

Classrooms in the United States have become increasingly more diverse and multilingual. Join a community of dedicated professionals committed to making a lasting difference in diverse classrooms and shaping the future of education.

The recently renovated study spaces compelte with new furniture on the third floor of the Lockwood Memorial Library, photographed in October 2023. Photographer: Douglas Levere.

Share Your Language Skills in Diverse Classrooms

Elevate your career with our childhood and bilingual education program, designed to equip you with the expertise to create inclusive, impactful, safe and empathetic learning environments. Distinguish yourself with expertise in serving the growing bilingual student population.

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Points of Distinction

The Teacher Residency Program, part of the Graduate School of Education, placed resident GianCarlo Pryce in a Southside Elementary school in Buffalo, where he was photographed in June 2023. Photographer: Douglas Levere.

You’ll be immersed in unparalleled learning opportunities through our laboratories, centers and research projects that offer field experiences and collaborative projects with local schools' bilingual and second language programs. 

UB Childcare Explore the Solar Strand on the North Campus Photographer: Douglas Levere.

With this specialty, you’ll study English language learners and bilingual education students, along with bilingualism and first and second language acquisition. You’ll gain specialized knowledge to excel in diverse and multilingual educational environments.

School aged children participate in the Gifted Math Program in Baldy and Clemens Hall in January 2020. Photographer: Douglas Levere.

Students in this program delve into the foundations of bilingual, dual, and second-language education. Acquire the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in and transform multilingual classrooms.

Initial / Professional Professional

Program Overview

Academic credential granted Master of Education (EdM)
Certification option Successful completion of program leads to an institutional recommendation for NYS Initial and Professional Certification in Childhood Education with a Bilingual Extension
Grade levels 1 to 6
Credits required for completion 60
Time to completion 4 full-time semesters
Course delivery On campus
Experiential contact hours
  • 1 academic year (fall/spring) of student teaching
  • Additional clinical hours may be required prior to student teaching residency. This is based on academic program and opportunities for specific students
  • Academic advisors assist with outlining specific clinical requirements
Application deadline Priority Deadlines
Summer: Feb. 1, then rolling until April 15
Fall: Feb. 1, then rolling until July 15

Prerequisite

To be eligible for this program, you must have majored in or completed 30 credit hours in one of the following areas: 

›  Arts: Art History, Dance, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts
›  English
›  Languages other than English (e.g., French, Spanish)
›  Mathematics
›  Natural Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Physics
›  Social Sciences: Anthropology, Economics, Geography, History, Political Science
›  Social Sciences Interdisciplinary (Health & Human Services: Early Childhood Concentration only)

Standardized Testing No Longer Required

Beginning with the spring 2022 semester, the GRE/MAT is no longer required for application to this program. If you still plan to take the GRE/MAT exam, you can send your scores through the testing agency, and they will automatically be added to your application; however, they are not required for admission consideration to this program.

You must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.

Submit your completed online application, which includes:

  • Application fee: A $50 non-refundable application fee, submitted electronically through UB's ePayment system.
  • Contact information for two individuals who will each be asked to provide an electronic recommendation letter.
  • Unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended. (UB transcripts are automatically submitted for current UB students and alumni.)
  • Personal statements: Please upload as two separate documents on your application.
    1. Statement one: Please outline your reasons for applying to UB's teacher education program. Include a discussion of one or two pivotal experiences that have brought you to the profession of teaching, your professional objectives (both long- and short-term), and how the graduate program is aligned with your goals. (250 to 300 words)
    2. Statement two: In Multiplication is for White People: Raising Expectations for Other People’s Children (2013), Lisa Delpit wrote: “We can educate all children if we truly want to. To do so, we must first stop attempting to quantify their capacity. We must be convinced of their inherent capability, humanity, and spiritual character ... we must learn who our children are — their lived cultures; their interests; and their intellectual, political, and historical legacies.”

      Discuss how these ideas resonate with your personal or prior experiences. Then explain how they align with your personal and professional values, especially when it comes to engaging with diverse communities and student populations. (400 to 500 words)
  • Applicants to the master's degree program (professional certification) must have applied for, or received, New York State initial teacher certification in the matching certification area. If application for teacher certification is in process, proof of such application must be submitted. If already certified, a copy of proof of teacher certification is required.

Former/Maiden Name: Please provide us with your former/maiden name if you have one. When requesting transcripts, please ask the sending institution to indicate your current name and former/maiden name.

Admissions Decision: The admissions decision will be communicated to you as soon as review is complete. The decision is based on a number of factors and is the result of a thorough and deliberate process. All decisions are final and cannot be appealed.

Dignity for All Students Act Requirement

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) requires that all students applying for certification as of December 31, 2013 have 6 hours of coursework or training on the social patterns of harassment, bullying and discrimination. As mandated by NYSED six clock hours of training in harassment, bullying, and discrimination prevention and intervention. This workshop is available through the University at Buffalo as well as other NYSED-approved providers. If you have already completed a workshop through a NYSED-approved provider, you must submit proof of completion when you apply.

Students with Disabilities Requirement

The New York State Education Department requires three semester hours of study in the area of students with disabilities for those who are entering the teacher education programs. If you have not yet fulfilled this requirement, you may take our students with disabilities course (LAI 574).

In-State Residency Tuition

In order to qualify for the in-state residency tuition rate, you must provide residency documentation indicating you have lived in New York State (NYS) 12 months before your semester start date.

If accepted, you will need to upload three documents to qualify for the in-state tuition rate. See Required Documents for Residency Application for more information. 

International Applicant Additional Requirements

  • Official original proof of your degree
  • A course-by-course transcript evaluation by a NACES member organization
  • A copy of your passport biographical page
  • Official test scores—dated within two years of submitting your application—for either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic.
    • TOEFL minimum score is 250 for computer-based test, 600 for paper-based test and 96 for internet-based test
    • IELTS minimum score is 7.0 overall
    • PTE minimum score is 55 overall
  • Financial documentation:  International graduate applicants must document their ability to pay for all costs incurred while studying in the U.S.
  • An official bank statement

All financial forms and supporting documentation with required signatures must be uploaded with your application and dated within one year of your intended enrollment date.

Dignity for All Students Act Requirement

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) requires that all students applying for certification as of December 31, 2013 have 6 hours of coursework or training on the social patterns of harassment, bullying and discrimination. As mandated by NYSED six clock hours of training in harassment, bullying, and discrimination prevention and intervention. This workshop is available through the University at Buffalo as well as other NYSED-approved providers. If you have already completed a workshop through a NYSED-approved provider, you must submit proof of completion when you apply.

Students with Disabilities Requirement

The New York State Education Department requires three semester hours of study in the area of students with disabilities for those who are entering the teacher education programs. If you have not yet fulfilled this requirement, you may take our students with disabilities course (LAI 574).

In-State Residency Tuition

In order to qualify for the in-state residency tuition rate, you must provide residency documentation indicating you have lived in New York State (NYS) 12 months before your semester start date.

If accepted, you will need to upload three documents to qualify for the in-state tuition rate. See Required Documents for Residency Application for more information. 

International Applicant Additional Requirements

  • Official original proof of your degree
  • A course-by-course transcript evaluation by a NACES member organization
  • A copy of your passport biographical page
  • Official test scores—dated within two years of submitting your application—for either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic.
    • TOEFL minimum score is 250 for computer-based test, 600 for paper-based test and 96 for internet-based test
    • IELTS minimum score is 7.0 overall
    • PTE minimum score is 55 overall
  • Financial documentation:  International graduate applicants must document their ability to pay for all costs incurred while studying in the U.S.
  • An official bank statement

All financial forms and supporting documentation with required signatures must be uploaded with your application and dated within one year of your intended enrollment date.

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